Productivity evaluation method, productivity evaluation device, program, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

This productivity evaluation method is for evaluating productivity of a chemical substance in a process comprising a first step of obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemical substance from the gas obtained in the first step in the presence of a catalyst, said method including: a first carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the waste material, a second carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carbon contained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and a productivity evaluation stage of evaluating the productivity of the chemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon which are calculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the second carbon mass calculation stage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a productivity evaluation method, aproductivity evaluation device, a program, and a recording medium.Particularly, the present invention relates to a method and a device forevaluating the productivity of a chemical substance, as well as aprogram for causing a computer to function as the productivityevaluation device, and a recording medium recording the program.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2012-206979 filed on Sep. 20, 2012, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

In the field of production of chemical substances such as ethanol, thetechnique to convert a waste material into a chemical substance by acatalytic reaction after gasification of the waste material has beenbeing developed, and various relevant techniques are known (see, forexample, Patent Document 1).

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a waste regeneration treatmentmethod in which a waste material, such as food residue, woody biomass,rice hull, agricultural residue, activated sludge, and waste plastic, iscarbonated and also regenerated into useful liquid fuel. Morespecifically, in this method, a solid waste material is charged togetherwith superheated steam into a carbonization-gasification furnace whichis tilted downwardly as viewed from an inlet toward an outlet.

In this method, a waste material is carbonized by thermal decompositionwithout burning by indirectly heating the waste material being shut-offfrom air in the carbonization-gasification furnace by using an electricheater. In the furnace, the accumulated amount of the carbonized wastematerial is caused to increase toward the outlet, and a water gas shiftreaction is caused by heat of the carbide to produce and drydistillation gas composed mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Then,in this method, the dry distillation gas was converted into liquid fuelby using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, PublicationNo. 2008-260832

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the business where chemical substances such as ethanol are producedfrom waste materials, it has been desired to visualize the productivityof the chemical substance. However, in such field, no method is knownwhich enables efficient evaluation of the productivity of a chemicalsubstance in the production of a chemical substance such as ethanol froma waste material.

Means for Solving the Problems

(1) The productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is a method for evaluatingproductivity of a chemical substance in a process including a first stepof obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizinga chemical substance from, as a raw material, the gas obtained in thefirst step in the presence of a catalyst, said method including:

a first carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in the waste material,

a second carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and

a productivity evaluation stage of evaluating the productivity of thechemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon which arecalculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the secondcarbon mass calculation stage.

(2) The productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to (1),further including:

a third carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in the gas obtained in the first step of said process, and

a fourth carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in a residue of the waste material resulting from the firststep of said process,

wherein, in the first carbon mass calculation stage, the mass of carboncontained in the waste material is calculated based on values of themass of carbon which are calculated in the third carbon mass calculationstage and the fourth carbon mass calculation stage.

(3) The productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to (2),wherein when a combustion improver is used in the first step of saidprocess, said productivity evaluation method further including:

a fifth carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in the combustion improver used in the first step of saidprocess,

wherein in the first carbon mass calculation stage, mass of carboncontained in the waste material is calculated based on a value of thecarbon mass which are calculated in the fifth carbon mass calculationstage.

That is, the productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to (2),wherein when a combustion improver is used in the first step of saidprocess, said productivity evaluation method further including:

a fifth carbon mass calculation stage of calculating mass of carboncontained in the combustion improver used in the first step of saidprocess,

wherein in the first carbon mass calculation stage, mass of carboncontained in the waste material is calculated based on values of thecarbon mass which are calculated in the third carbon mass calculationstage, the fourth carbon mass calculation stage, and the fifth carbonmass calculation stage.

(4) The productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to any one of(1) to (3), further including:

a carbon dioxide emission calculation stage of calculating an amount ofcarbon dioxide emission caused due to use of energy in the first step ofsaid process,

wherein in the productivity evaluation stage, the productivity of thechemical substance is evaluated based on a value of the amount of carbondioxide emission calculated in the carbon dioxide emission calculationstage.

That is, the productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to any one of(1) to (3), further including:

a carbon dioxide emission calculation stage of calculating an amount ofcarbon dioxide emission caused due to use of energy in the first step ofsaid process,

wherein in the productivity evaluation stage, the productivity of thechemical substance is evaluated based on values of the carbon mass whichare calculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the secondcarbon mass calculation stage and a value of the amount of carbondioxide emission calculated in the carbon dioxide emission calculationstage.

(5) The productivity evaluation method of the present inventionaccording to the first embodiment is the method according to any one of(1) to (4),

wherein the chemical substance is a compound represented by the formulaCxHyOz, so that mass of carbon contained in the compound CxHyOz iscalculated in the second carbon mass calculation stage and that theproductivity of the compound CxHyOz is evaluated in the productivityevaluation stage.

(6) The charging system of the present invention according to the secondembodiment is a system which determines a charge for a waste materialdepending on the productivity of the chemical substance evaluated by theproductivity evaluation method according to any one of (1) to (5).(7) The productivity evaluation device of the present inventionaccording to the third embodiment is a device for evaluatingproductivity of a chemical substance in a process including a first stepof obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizinga chemical substance from, as a raw material, the gas obtained in thefirst step in the presence of a catalyst, said device including:

a first carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the waste material,

a second carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and

a productivity evaluation unit for evaluating the productivity of thechemical substance based on values of the carbon mass which arecalculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the secondcarbon mass calculation stage.

(8) The program of the present invention according to the fourthembodiment is a program for evaluating productivity of a chemicalsubstance in a process including a first step of obtaining gas from awaste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemical substancefrom, as a raw material, the gas obtained in the first step in thepresence of a catalyst, said program causing a computer to performfunctions of:

a first carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the waste material,

a second carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and

a productivity evaluation unit for evaluating the productivity of thechemical substance based on values of the carbon mass which arecalculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the secondcarbon mass calculation stage.

(9) The fifth embodiment of the present invention is a recording mediumhaving recorded therein a computer program for evaluating productivityof a chemical substance in a process including a first step of obtaininggas from a waste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemicalsubstance from, as a raw material, the gas obtained in the first step inthe presence of a catalyst, said program causing a computer to performfunctions of:

a first carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the waste material,

a second carbon mass calculation unit for calculating mass of carboncontained in the chemical substance produced in said process, and

a productivity evaluation unit for evaluating the productivity of thechemical substance based on values of the carbon mass which arecalculated in the first carbon mass calculation stage and the secondcarbon mass calculation stage.

The gist of the invention described above does not necessarily enumerateall necessary features of the present invention.

The subcombinations of any features described above may also belong tothe present invention.

Effects of the Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto efficiently evaluate the productivity of chemical substances such asethanol in the production of such chemical substances from wastematerials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of a productivityevaluation method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of block configuration of aproductivity evaluation device 110 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of a productivityevaluation method according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of block configuration of aproductivity evaluation device 210 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of a productivityevaluation method according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example of block configuration of aproductivity evaluation device 310 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of a productivityevaluation method according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of block configuration of aproductivity evaluation device 410 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of hardware configuration of acomputer 800 constituting the productivity evaluation devices 110, 210,310 and 410 according to the present embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinbelow, the present invention is described based on the embodimentsof the invention. However, the embodiments below do not limit theinvention according to the scope of claims, and that all combination ofthe features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essentialto the means to solve the problems by the present invention.

The process of producing ethanol includes a first step of obtaining gasfrom a waste material and a second step of synthesizing a chemicalsubstance from the gas in the presence of a catalyst. The waste materialhere can be classified roughly into a waste material derived frompetroleum, such as a plastic; and a waste material derived frombiological resources, such as domestic waste such as domestic flammabletrash, paper waste, wood waste, sewage sludge, waste textile, prunedbranch, animal and plant residues, animal and vegetable oils, meat andbone meal, waste solid fuel, excreta, wood chip, and organic sludge.Ethanol may be an example of the chemical substances and the compoundsCxHyOz in this invention.

The first step of the process of producing ethanol is a step ofconverting a waste material into gas containing carbon monoxide andhydrogen by thermal decomposition and chemical reaction in a hightemperature field. The high temperature field is, for example, apyrolysis furnace or a melting furnace. In the first step, it ispossible that a waste material is not converted completely and thatresidue is discharged. In the first step, a combustion improver may beused. The combustion improver is, for example, a liquefied petroleumgas, a light gas oil, coke, a mineral oil, a heavy oil, coal, a naturalgas, kerosene, and a waste edible oil.

The second step of the process of producing ethanol is a step ofintroducing the synthesized gas, in which the composition ratio ofcarbon monoxide and hydrogen is adjusted, into a reactor filled withvarious catalysts, and synthesizing ethanol by heating the gas in thepresence of a metal catalyst or by heating or cooling the gas in thepresence of a microbial catalyst. The ethanol is produced in a gaseousstate if a metal catalyst is used, because the synthesis reaction iscarried out at a high temperature. On the other hand, if a microbialcatalyst is used, the ethanol is produced in a liquid state, because thesynthesis reaction is carried out at a temperature that does not to killthe microbe. In the second step, various by-products, such asacetaldehyde, acetic acid, methanol and methane, are formed as well asethanol.

FIG. 1 shows an example of procedure of the productivity evaluationmethod according to the first embodiment. Referring to this drawing,detailed descriptions are given below with respect to the method ofevaluating the productivity of ethanol in production thereof by theaforementioned process.

First, in this evaluation method, the mass M1 of carbon contained in thewaste material is calculated (step “S101”). For example, the mass M1 ofcarbon in the waste material can be calculated by multiplying the totalweight of the waste material by the ratio of the mass of carbon in thewaste material to the total weight of the waste material.

The total weight of the waste material can be calculated by, forexample, subtracting the weight of a garbage truck not loaded with thewaste material from the weight of the same garbage truck loaded with thewaste material. Alternatively, the mass of the waste material can be,for example, calculated by multiplying the volume of the waste materialby the densities of the components of the waste material, provided thatthe types of the components of the waste material are known.

On the other hand, the ratio of carbon in the waste material to thetotal waste material can be, for example, calculated by an elementalanalysis method. The elemental analysis method is a method ofdetermining the composition ratios of the specific elements. Forexample, when an organic compound composed of C (carbon), H (hydrogen),and O (oxygen) is combusted completely, all of the C atoms in thecompound form CO₂ and all of the H atoms in the compound form H₂O.Therefore, the composition formula of an organic compound composed of C,H, and O can be obtained from the masses of the water and the carbondioxide that result from the combustion of the organic compound.Regarding the mass of carbon, it can be calculated by collecting thecarbon dioxide, measuring the total mass of the carbon dioxide, andmultiplying the total mass by the ratio of the atomic weight ofcarbon/the molecular weight of CO₂. In the case that the ratios of theweight of a waste material derived from biological resources and theweight of a waste material derived from petroleum, relative to the totalweight of the waste material, are known, the ratio of the mass of carbonin the waste material to the total weight of the waste material can becalculated by, for example, adding the product of (mass ratio of thewaste material component derived from biological resources in the wholewaste material×mass ratio of the carbon in the waste material componentderived from biological resources) to the product of (mass ratio of thewaste material component derived from petroleum in the whole wastematerial×mass ratio of the carbon in the waste material componentderived from petroleum). In the case that a place(s) where the wastematerial is collected is known, the ratio of the mass of carbon in thewaste material to the total weight of the waste material can be, forexample, determined by referring to a database showing the ratio of themass of carbon in the waste material to the total weight of the wastematerial for each collecting place, which have been calculated inadvance in such manner as described above.

Next, in this method, the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol produced bythe process described above is calculated (step “S102”). For example,the mass M2 of carbon in ethanol can be calculated by multiplying theweight of ethanol by the ratio of the mass of carbon atoms to the massof ethanol molecule.

Then, in this method, the productivity of ethanol is evaluated based onthe mass M1 of carbon calculated in the step S101 and the mass M2 ofcarbon calculated in the step S102 (step “S103”). For example, theproductivity of ethanol is evaluated based on a value obtained bydividing the mass M1 of carbon by the mass M2 of carbon, that is, theratio of the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol produced from the wastematerial to the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material. For example, inthe case that the ratio of the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol producedfrom the waste material to the mass M1 of carbon in the waste materialis X (%), the productivity of the ethanol, i.e., the level of efficiencyof ethanol production from the waste material, is evaluated as X (%).

FIG. 2 shows an example of block configuration of a productivityevaluation device 110 according to the first embodiment. Theproductivity evaluation device 110 is a device for evaluating theproductivity of ethanol. The productivity evaluation device 110according to the first embodiment includes a first carbon masscalculation unit 111, a second carbon mass calculation unit 112, and aproductivity evaluation unit 113. The detailed descriptions are givenbelow with respect to the functions and motions of each of thecomponents.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 111 calculates the mass M1 ofcarbon in the waste material.

The second carbon mass calculation unit 112 calculates the mass M2 ofcarbon in ethanol.

The productivity evaluation unit 113 evaluates the productivity ofethanol based on the mass M1 of carbon calculated by the first carbonmass calculation unit 111 and the mass M2 of carbon calculated by thesecond carbon mass calculation unit 112.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , detailed descriptions are given belowwith respect to a process of evaluating the productivity of ethanol bythe productivity evaluation device 110 according to the firstembodiment.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 111 of the productivityevaluation device 110 calculates the mass M1 of carbon in the wastematerial (step “S101”). For example, the first carbon mass calculationunit 111 calculates the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material bymultiplying the weight of the waste material by the ratio of the mass ofcarbon in the waste material to the total weight of the waste material.

For example, the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 may receiveinput of the information on the weight of a garbage truck loaded withthe waste material and the information on the weight of the same garbagetruck not loaded with the waste material. The information may be, forexample, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel, or input from a measuring device for measuring the weightof a garbage truck. The first carbon mass calculation unit 111calculates the weight of the waste material by subtracting the weight ofa garbage truck not loaded with the waste material from the weight ofthe same garbage truck loaded with the waste material.

Alternatively, for example, the first carbon mass calculation unit 111may receive input of the information on the volume of the waste materialand the information on the densities of the components of the wastematerial. The information on the volume of the waste material may be,for example, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel, or input from a measuring device for measuring the volumeof the waste material. The information on the densities of thecomponents of the waste material may be, for example, input via an inputdevice such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, or input from ameasuring device for measuring the densities of the components of thewaste material. The first carbon mass calculation unit 111 calculatesthe weight of the waste material by multiplying the volume of the wastematerial by the densities of the components of the waste material.

Further, for example, the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 mayreceive input of the information on the ratio of carbon in the wastematerial to the total waste material, which is calculated by anelemental analysis method. The information may be, for example, inputvia an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, orinput from an elemental analysis device.

Furthermore, for example, the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 mayreceive input of the information on the ratio of the weight of the wastematerial derived from biological resources in the waste material to thetotal weight of the waste material, the information on the ratio of theweight of the waste material derived from petroleum in the wastematerial to the total weight of the waste material, the information onthe ratio of the mass of the carbon in the waste material derived frombiological resources to the total weight of the waste material derivedfrom biological resources, and the information on the ratio of the massof the carbon in the waste material from petroleum to the total weightof the waste material derived from petroleum. The information may be,for example, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel. The first carbon mass calculation unit 111 calculates theratio of the mass of carbon in the waste material to the total weight ofthe waste material by, for example, adding the product of (mass ratio ofa waste material derived from biological resources in the waste materialto the total weight of the waste material×mass ratio of the carbon inthe waste material derived from biological resources to the total weightof the waste material derived from biological resources) to the productof (mass ratio of a waste material derived from petroleum in the wastematerial to the total weight of the waste material×mass ratio of thecarbon in the waste material derived from petroleum to the total weightof the waste material derived from petroleum).

Furthermore, for example, the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 mayreceive input of the information on the place(s) where the wastematerial is collected. This information may be, for example, input viaan input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The firstcarbon mass calculation unit 111 determines the ratio of the mass ofcarbon in the waste material to the total weight of the waste materialby referring to a database showing the ratio of the mass of carbon inthe waste material to the total weight of the waste material for eachcollecting place, which have been calculated in advance in such matteras described above.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 111 calculates the mass M1 ofcarbon in the waste material by multiplying the weight of the wastematerial by the mass ratio of carbon in the waste material. The firstcarbon mass calculation unit 111 transmits the data of the calculatedmass M1 of carbon to the productivity evaluation unit 113.

The second carbon mass calculation unit 112 of the productivityevaluation device 110 calculates the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanolproduced by the process described above (step “S102”). For example, thesecond carbon mass calculation unit 112 receives input of theinformation on the weight of ethanol. This information may be, forexample, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel, or input from a measuring device for measuring the weightof ethanol. The second carbon mass calculation unit 112 calculates themass M2 of carbon in ethanol by multiplying the weight of ethanol by theratio of the mass of carbon atoms in ethanol to the mass of ethanolmolecule. The second carbon mass calculation unit 112 transmits the dataof the calculated mass M2 of carbon to the productivity evaluation unit113.

The productivity evaluation unit 113 of the productivity evaluationdevice 110 receives each of the data from the first carbon masscalculation unit 111 and the data from the second carbon masscalculation unit 112. The productivity evaluation unit 113 evaluates theproductivity of ethanol based on the mass M1 of carbon shown in the datafrom the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 and the mass M2 ofcarbon shown in the data from the second carbon mass calculation unit112 (step “S103”). For example, the productivity evaluation unit 113evaluates the productivity of ethanol based on the value obtained bydividing the mass M1 of carbon by the mass M2 of carbon, that is, theratio of the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol produced from the wastematerial to the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material. For example, inthe case that the ratio of the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol producedfrom the waste material to the mass M1 of carbon in the waste materialis X (%), the productivity evaluation unit 113 evaluates the level ofthe productivity of ethanol, i.e., the efficiency of ethanol productionfrom the waste material, to be X (%).

As described above, for evaluating productivity of ethanol in a processincluding a first step of obtaining gas from a waste material and asecond step of chemically synthesizing ethanol from the gas obtained inthe first step in the presence of a catalyst, the productivityevaluation method according to the first embodiment includes a step ofcalculating the mass of carbon in the waste material. This methodfurther includes a step of evaluating the productivity of ethanol basedon the mass of carbon in the waste material and the mass of carbon inthe ethanol.

Thus, according to the productivity evaluation method of the firstembodiment, the productivity of ethanol in the production thereof from awaste material can be efficiently evaluated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of procedure of the productivity evaluationmethod according to the second embodiment. Referring to this drawing,detailed descriptions are given below with respect to the method ofevaluating the productivity of ethanol where the mass M1 of carbon inthe waste material is calculated in a different manner from the firstembodiment. In the descriptions given below, reference is made to FIG. 1as well. Through FIG. 3 and FIG. 1 , the same “S”-prefixed referencenumerals designate the same steps.

First, in this method, the mass M3 of carbon in the gas obtained in thefirst step of the production process described above is calculated (step“S201”). For example, the mass M3 of carbon in the gas can be calculatedby multiplying the mass of a carbon-containing molecule in the gas bythe ratio of the mass of carbon atoms to the mass of the molecule. Inthe case that more than one kind of molecule are contained in the gas,the mass M3 of carbon in the gas can be calculated by multiplying themass of the molecule by the mass ratio of the carbon atoms to themolecule with respect to each of the different types of molecule, andadding up all of the obtained values.

With respect to each of the different types of molecules in the gas, themass of the molecule can be, for example, calculated by multiplying themass of gas and the ratio of the mass of the molecule in the gas to thetotal mass of the gas. The ratio of the mass of each of the molecules inthe gas to the total mass of the gas can be, for example, obtained byanalysis using a gas chromatography detection apparatus. On the otherhand, the mass of the gas can be, for example, calculated by using a gasstate equation if the pressure, temperature, and volume of the gasflowing in the pipe are known. The volume of the gas can be, forexample, calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area of the pipeby the flow rate of the gas and the period of time during which the gascontinues to flow.

Next, in this method, the mass M4 of carbon contained in the residuedischarged in the first step of the production process described above(step “S202”). For example, the mass M4 of carbon in the residue can becalculated based on the mass of the residue, kinds of atoms in theresidue and the mass ratio of carbon in the residue. The kinds of atomsin the residue and the mass ratio of carbon in the residue can be, forexample, analyzed by an elemental analysis method.

Then, in this method, the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material iscalculated based on the mass M3 of carbon calculated in the step S201and the mass M4 of carbon calculated in the step S202 (step “S203”). Forexample, the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material can be calculatedby adding the mass M3 of carbon in the gas to the mass M4 of carbon inthe residue. For example, the calculation of the mass M1 of carbon inthe waste material can be performed not simply by adding the mass M3 ofcarbon in the gas to the mass M4 of carbon in the residue, but also byreferring to the efficiency of obtaining the gas from the waste materialor the like which is experimentally calculated in advance.

In this method, as in the productivity evaluation method according tothe first embodiment, the mass M2 of carbon in ethanol is calculated(step “S102”), and the productivity of ethanol is evaluated based on themass M1 of carbon in the waste material and the mass M2 of carbon inethanol (step “S103”).

FIG. 4 shows an example of block configuration of a productivityevaluation device 210 according to the second embodiment. Theproductivity evaluation device 210 according to the second embodimentincludes a third carbon mass calculation unit 211, a fourth carbon masscalculation unit 212, a first carbon mass calculation unit 213, a secondcarbon mass calculation unit 112, and a productivity evaluation unit113. Detailed descriptions are given below with respect to the functionsand actions of the respective components.

With respect to the productivity evaluation device 210 shown in FIG. 4and the productivity evaluation device 110 in FIG. 2 , the identicallytermed components designated with the same reference numerals have thesame functions and actions.

The third carbon mass calculation unit 211 calculates the mass M3 ofcarbon in the gas obtained in the first step of the production processdescribed above.

The fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212 calculates the mass M4 ofcarbon in the residue discharged in the first step of the productionprocess described above.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 213 calculates the mass M1 ofcarbon in the waste material based on the mass M3 of carbon calculatedby the third carbon mass calculation unit 211 and the mass M4 of carboncalculated by the fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , detailed descriptions are given belowwith respect to the process of evaluating the productivity of ethanol bythe productivity evaluation device 210 according to the secondembodiment.

The third carbon mass calculation unit 211 of the productivityevaluation device 210 calculates the mass M3 of carbon in the gasobtained in the first step of the production process (step “S201”). Forexample, the third carbon mass calculation unit 211 calculates the massM3 of carbon in the gas by multiplying the mass of a carbon-containingmolecule in the gas by the ratio of the mass of carbon atoms to the massof the molecule. In the case that more than one kind of molecules arecontained in the gas, the third carbon mass calculation unit 211calculates the mass M3 of carbon in the gas as following. Regarding eachof the different kinds of molecules, the third carbon mass calculationunit 211 multiplies the mass of the molecule by the ratio of the mass ofcarbon atoms to the mass of the molecule. All of the thus obtainedvalues are added up to determine the mass M3 of carbon in the gas.

For example, the third carbon mass calculation unit 211 calculates themass of each of the molecules in the gas by multiplying the mass of gasand the ratio of mass of the molecule in the gas to the total mass ofthe gas.

For example, the third carbon mass calculation unit 211 may receiveinput of the information on the respective ratios of the molecules inthe gas to the total of the gas. This information may be, for example,input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel,or input from a gas chromatography detection apparatus.

Alternatively, for example, the third carbon mass calculation unit 211may receive input of the information on the pressure, temperature, andvolume of the gas flowing in the pipe. The information on the pressuremay be, for example, input via an input device such as a keyboard, amouse, or a touch panel, or input from a measuring device for measuringpressure in the pipe. The information on the temperature may be, forexample, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel, or input from a measuring device for measuring temperaturein the pipe. The information on the volume may be, for example, inputvia an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, orinput from a measuring device for measuring volume flow rate in thepipe, or calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area of the pipeby the flow rate of the gas and the period of time during which the gascontinues to flow. The third carbon mass calculation unit 211 calculatesthe mass of gas by a gas state equation based on the aforementionedinformation.

The third carbon mass calculation unit 211 calculates the mass M3 ofcarbon in the gas by multiplying the mass of a carbon-containingmolecule in the gas by the ratio of the mass of carbon atom(s) to themass of the molecule, and then, transmits the data of the calculatedmass M3 of carbon to the first carbon mass calculation unit 213.

The fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212 of the productivityevaluation device 210 calculates the mass M4 of carbon in the residuedischarged in the first step of the production process described above(step “S201”). For example, the fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212calculates the mass M4 of carbon in the residue discharged based on themass of the residue, kinds of atoms in the residue and the ratio of themass of carbon in the residue.

Further, for example, the fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212 mayreceive input of the information on the mass of the residue, kinds ofatoms in the residue and the ratio of the mass of carbon in the residue.The information on the mass of residue may be, for example, input via aninput device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, or inputfrom a measuring device for measuring the weight of the residue. Theinformation on the kinds of atoms in the residue and the information onthe ratio of the mass of carbon in the residue may be, for example,input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel,or input from an elemental analyzer.

The fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212 calculates the mass M4 ofcarbon in the residue based on the mass of the residue, kinds of atomsin the residue and the ratio of the mass of carbon in the residue, andthen, transmits the data of the calculated mass M4 of carbon to thefirst carbon mass calculation unit 213.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 213 of the productivityevaluation device 210 receives each of the data transmitted from thethird carbon mass calculation unit 211 and the data transmitted from thefourth carbon mass calculation unit 212, and then, calculates the massM1 of carbon in the waste material based on the mass M3 of carbon shownin the data transmitted from the third carbon mass calculation unit 211and the mass M4 of carbon shown in the data transmitted from the fourthcarbon mass calculation unit 212 (step “203”). For example, the firstcarbon mass calculation unit 213 calculates the mass M1 of carbon in thewaste material by adding the mass M3 of carbon in the gas to the mass M4of carbon in the residue. Alternatively, for example, the first carbonmass calculation unit 213 may calculate the mass M1 of carbon in thewaste material by referring to the efficiency of obtaining the gas fromthe waste material and the like which is experimentally calculated inadvance.

In the productivity evaluation device 210 according to the secondembodiment, as in the productivity evaluation device 110 according tothe first embodiment, the mass M2 of carbon in ethanol is calculated(step “S102”), and then, the productivity of ethanol is evaluated basedon the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material and the mass M2 of carbonin ethanol (step “S103”).

As described above, in the productivity evaluation method according tothe second embodiment, the mass M3 of carbon in the gas obtained in thefirst step of the production process described above is calculated. Inthis method, the mass M4 of carbon in the residue discharged in thefirst step of the production process described above is calculated. Inthis method, the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material is calculatedbased on the mass M3 of carbon in the gas and the mass M4 of carbon inthe residue.

Thus, according to the productivity evaluation method according to thesecond embodiment, the mass M3 of carbon in the gas obtained in thefirst step of the production process described above and the mass M4 ofcarbon in the residue discharged in the first step of the productionprocess described above can be easily calculated. Therefore, the mass M1of carbon in the waste material can be calculated more easily and moreprecisely, as compared to the productivity evaluation method accordingto the first embodiment. Consequently, the productivity of ethanol canbe evaluated more easily and more precisely.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of the productivityevaluation method according to the third embodiment. Referring to thisdrawing, detailed descriptions are given below with respect to a methodof evaluating the productivity of ethanol in the case of using acombustion improver. In the descriptions given below, reference is madeto FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 as well. Through FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 , thesame “S”-prefixed reference numerals designate the same steps.

First, in this method, as in the productivity evaluation methodaccording to the second embodiment, the mass M3 of carbon in the gasobtained in the first step of the production process described above iscalculated (step “S201”), and the mass M4 of carbon in the residuedischarged in the first step of the production process described above(step “S202”).

Next, in this method, the mass M5 of carbon in the combustion improverused in the first step of the production process described above iscalculated (step “S301”). For example, the mass M5 of carbon in thecombustion improver can be calculated by multiplying the mass of thecombustion improver by the ratio of the mass of carbon atom to the totalmass of the combustion improver.

Then, in this method, the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material iscalculated based on the mass M3 of carbon calculated in the step S201,the mass M4 of carbon calculated in the step S202, and the mass M5 ofcarbon calculated in the step S301 (step “S302”). For example, the massM1 of carbon in the waste material can be calculated by adding the massM3 of carbon in the gas to the mass M4 of carbon in the residue andsubtracting therefrom the mass M5 of carbon in the combustion improver.

In this method, as in the productivity evaluation method according tothe first embodiment, the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol is calculated(step “S102”), and then, the productivity of ethanol is evaluated basedon the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material and the mass M2 of carbonin the ethanol (step “S103”).

FIG. 6 shows an example of block configuration of a productivityevaluation device 310 according to the third embodiment. Theproductivity evaluation device 310 according to the third embodimentincludes a third carbon mass calculation unit 211, a fourth carbon masscalculation unit 212, a fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311, a firstcarbon mass calculation unit 312, a second carbon mass calculation unit112, and a productivity evaluation unit 113. Detailed descriptions aregiven below with respect to the functions and actions of each of thecomponents.

With respect to the productivity evaluation device 310 shown in FIG. 6 ,the productivity evaluation device 110 in FIG. 2 , and the productivityevaluation device 210 in FIG. 4 , the identically termed componentsdesignated with the same reference numerals have the same functions andactions.

The fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311 calculates the mass M5 ofcarbon in the combustion improver used in the first step of theproduction process described above.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 312 calculates the mass M1 ofcarbon in the waste material based on the mass M3 of carbon calculatedby the third carbon mass calculation unit 211, the mass M4 of carboncalculated by the fourth carbon mass calculation unit 212, and the massM5 of carbon calculated by the fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , the detailed descriptions are made withrespect to the process of evaluating the productivity of ethanol by theproduction evaluation device 310 according to the third embodiment.

First, the productivity evaluation device 310 according to the thirdembodiment, as in the productivity evaluation device 210 according tothe second embodiment, calculates the mass M3 of carbon in the gasobtained in the first step of the production process described above(step “S201”). The productivity evaluation device 310 calculates themass M4 of carbon in the residue discharged in the first step of theproduction process described above (step “S202”).

The fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311 of the productivityevaluation device 310 calculates the mass M5 of carbon in the combustionimprover used in the first step of the production process describedabove (step “S301”). For example, the fifth carbon mass calculation unit311 calculates the mass M5 of carbon in the combustion improver bymultiplying the mass of the combustion improver by the ratio of the massof carbon atoms in the combustion improver to the total mass of thecombustion improver.

For example, the fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311 receives inputof the information on the mass of the combustion improver and the ratioof the mass of carbon atoms in the combustion improver to the total massof the combustion improver. The information may be, for example, inputvia an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, or adetection device, or may be preset in the fifth carbon mass calculationunit 311.

The fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311 calculates the mass M5 ofcarbon in the combustion improver by multiplying the mass of thecombustion improver by the ratio of the mass of carbon atoms in thecombustion improver to the total mass of the combustion improver, andthen, transmits the data of the calculated mass M5 of carbon to thefirst carbon mass calculation unit 312.

The first carbon mass calculation unit 312 of the productivityevaluation device 310 receives input of the data from the third carbonmass calculation unit 211, the data from the fourth carbon masscalculation unit 212, and the data from the fifth carbon masscalculation unit 311. The first carbon mass calculation unit 312calculates the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material based on the massM3 of carbon shown in the data from the third carbon mass calculationunit 211, the mass M4 of carbon shown in the data from the fourth carbonmass calculation unit 212, and the mass M5 of carbon shown in the datafrom the fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311 (step “S302”). Forexample, the first carbon mass calculation unit 312 calculates the massM1 of carbon in the waste material by adding the mass M3 of carbon inthe gas to the mass M4 of carbon in the residue, and subtractingtherefrom the mass M5 of carbon in the combustion improver.

The productivity evaluation device 310 according to the thirdembodiment, as in the case of the productivity evaluation device 110according to the first embodiment, calculates the mass M2 of carbon inthe ethanol (step “S102”), and then, evaluates the productivity ofethanol based on the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material and themass M2 of carbon in the ethanol (step “S103”).

As described above, in the productivity evaluation method according tothe third embodiment, when a combustion improver is used in the firststep of the production process described above, the mass M5 of carbon inthe combustion improver is calculated. Then, in this method, the mass M1of carbon in the waste material is calculated based on the mass M3 ofcarbon in the gas, the mass M4 of carbon in the residue, and the mass M5of carbon in the combustion improver.

Thus, according to the productivity evaluation method according to thethird embodiment, the productivity of ethanol in the production thereoffrom a waste material can be efficiently evaluated even in the case ofusing a combustion improver.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of procedure of a productivityevaluation method according to the fourth embodiment. Referring to thisdrawing, detailed descriptions are given below with respect to a methodof evaluating the productivity of the ethanol in view of the amount ofcarbon dioxide emission caused due to the use of energy in the firststep of the production process described above. In the descriptionsgiven below, reference is made to FIG. 1 as well. Through FIG. 1 andFIG. 7 , the same “S”-prefixed reference numerals designate the samesteps.

First, in this method, as in the productivity evaluation methodaccording to the first embodiment described above, the mass M1 of carbonin the waste material is calculated (step “S101”), and then, the mass M2of carbon in the ethanol produced by the production process describedabove is calculated (step “S102”).

Next, in this method, the amount of carbon dioxide emission caused dueto the use of energy in the first step of the production process iscalculated (step “S401”). For example, the amount of carbon dioxideemission caused due to the use of energy can be calculated bymultiplying the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit energyconsumed in a pyrolysis furnace or a melting furnace by the actualamount of energy consumed in the pyrolysis furnace or the meltingfurnace.

Then, in this method, the productivity of ethanol is evaluated based onthe mass M1 of carbon calculated in the step S101, the mass M2 of carboncalculated in the step S102, and the known amount of carbon dioxideemission calculated in the step S401 (step “S402”). For example, theproductivity of ethanol is evaluated based on the value obtained byadding the mass M1 of carbon and the mass of carbon in the emittedcarbon dioxide, and then, divided by the mass M2 of carbon. That is, theproductivity of ethanol is evaluated based on the ratio of the mass M2of carbon in the ethanol produced from the waste material to the totalof the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material and the mass of carbon inthe emitted carbon dioxide.

FIG. 8 shows an example of block configuration of a productivityevaluation device 410 according to the fourth embodiment. Theproductivity evaluation device 410 according to the fourth embodimentincludes a first carbon mass calculation unit 111, a second carbon masscalculation unit 112, a carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411,and a productivity evaluation unit 412.

Detailed descriptions are given below with respect to the functions andactions of each of the components.

With respect to the productivity evaluation device 410 shown in FIG. 8and the productivity evaluation device 110 in FIG. 2 , the identicallytermed components designated with the same reference numerals have thesame functions and actions.

The carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 calculates the amountof carbon dioxide emission caused due to the use of energy in the firststep of the production process described above.

The productivity evaluation unit 412 evaluates the productivity ofethanol based on the mass of carbon calculated by the first carbon masscalculation unit 111, the mass of carbon calculated by the second carbonmass calculation unit 112, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissioncalculated by the carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , detailed descriptions are given belowwith respect to how the productivity of ethanol is evaluated by theproductivity evaluation device 410 according to the fourth embodiment.

First, in this method, as in the productivity evaluation device 110according to the first embodiment described above, the productivityevaluation device 410 calculates the mass M1 of carbon in the wastematerial (step “S101”). The productivity evaluation device 410calculates the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol produced by theproduction process described above (step “S102”).

The carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 of the productivityevaluation device 410 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissioncaused due to the use of energy in the first step of the productionprocess described above (step “S401”). For example, the carbon dioxideemission calculation unit 411 calculates the amount of carbon dioxideemission caused due to the use of energy by multiplying the known amountof carbon dioxide emission per unit energy consumed in a pyrolysisfurnace or a melting furnace by the actual amount of energy consumed inthe pyrolysis furnace or the melting furnace.

For example, the carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 receivesinput of the information on the actual amount of energy consumed in thepyrolysis furnace or the melting furnace. This information may be, forexample, input via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or atouch panel, or input from a control device of the pyrolysis furnace orthe melting furnace.

The carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 calculates the amountof carbon dioxide emission caused due to the use of energy bymultiplying the known amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit energyconsumed in a pyrolysis furnace or a melting furnace by the actualamount of energy consumed in the pyrolysis furnace or the meltingfurnace. The carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 transmits thedata of the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emission to theproductivity evaluation unit 412.

The productivity evaluation unit 412 receives each of the datatransmitted from the first carbon mass calculation unit 111, the datatransmitted from the second carbon mass calculation unit 112, and thedata transmitted from the carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411.The productivity evaluation unit 412 evaluates the productivity ofethanol based on the mass M1 of carbon shown in the data transmittedfrom the first carbon mass calculation unit 111, the mass M2 of carbonshown in the data transmitted from the second carbon mass calculationunit 112, the amount of carbon dioxide emission shown in the datatransmitted from the carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 (step“S402”). For example, the productivity evaluation unit 412 evaluates theproductivity of ethanol based on the value obtained by adding the massM1 of carbon and the mass of carbon in the emitted carbon dioxide, andthen, divided by the mass M2 of carbon. That is, the productivityevaluation unit 412 evaluates the productivity of ethanol based on theratio of the mass M2 of carbon in the ethanol produced from the wastematerial to the total of the mass M1 of carbon in the waste material andthe mass of carbon in the emitted carbon dioxide.

As described above, in the productivity evaluation method according tothe fourth embodiment, the amount of carbon dioxide emission caused dueto the use of energy in the first step of the production processdescribed above is calculated. In this method, the productivity ofethanol is evaluated based on the mass of carbon in the waste material,the mass of carbon in ethanol, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissioncaused due to the use of energy in the first step of the productionprocess described above.

Thus, according to the productivity evaluation method according to thefourth embodiment, the productivity of ethanol can be more efficientlyevaluated, taking into consideration the amount of carbon dioxideemission which is caused due to the use of energy for recovering gasfrom the waste material.

The fifth embodiment relates to a charging (billing) system using theproductivity evaluation method described above.

Generally, payment of service charge is required to have a wastematerial disposed. This charge is set according to the weight and typeof the waste material. For example, the disposal of activated sludgegenerated from waste water treatment plants is generally implemented ineither one of the following two ways. Specifically, the activated sludgehaving undergone dehydration and drying is brought to an incinerationplant where the activated sludge is disposed, or the activated sludgeafter dehydration is disposed by conversion into a fertilizer ordisposed in a landfill. However, the expensive disposal charge occurs ineither case. The charge varies greatly depending on the systems of thetreatment plant, the place of disposal, and the moisture content.

The actual waste material contains not only the components usable as rawmaterials (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), but also the componentsinhibiting the catalytic reaction in the second step in the productionprocess of ethanol. Examples of the latter components (inhibitorycomponents) include a S (sulfur) component such as hydrogen sulfide, anda Cl component such as hydrogen chloride. The ratio of the componentsinhibiting the catalytic reaction to the total of the waste materialgreatly depends on the waste material as the raw material. Generally, inthe process of the second step, a mechanism trapping the inhibitorycomponents is incorporated so that the presence of such inhibitorycomponents in a small amount can be tolerated. However, if the ratio ofthe inhibitory components to the total of the waste material largelyexceeds the capacity of the trapping mechanism, it is expected that theintrusion of inhibitory components in the second step influences thecatalytic reaction. In this case, the productivity of ethanol isdeteriorated.

That is, even if the ratio of the carbon to the total of the wastematerial is large, the productivity of ethanol is lowered when theamount of inhibitory components contained in the waste material islarge. Therefore, it is desirable to construct a system of determining acharge depending on the amount of carbon in the waste material and theproductivity of ethanol.

In view of this situation, a system according to the present embodimentdetermines the charge for disposal of the waste material based on theproductivity obtained by any of the productivity evaluation methodsaccording to the first to fourth embodiments. Specifically, as describedabove in connection with the productivity evaluation methods accordingto the first to fourth embodiments, the productivity of ethanol iscalculated based on the mass of carbon in the waste material, the massof carbon in the ethanol produced by said production process. If thecalculated productivity of ethanol is higher than the predeterminedvalue, a certain amount is discounted from the charge for disposal ofthe waste material.

The determination of whether a certain amount should be discounted fromthe charge for disposal of the waste material or not is made by thefollowing method.

First, the present reaction for synthesizing ethanol is carried outusing, as a raw material, a rice straw or wood containing almost nosulfur components nor chloride components which inhibit the catalyticreaction. The productivity of ethanol in this reaction is calculatedbased on the mass of carbon in the raw material and the mass of carbonin the converted ethanol. The calculated productivity of ethanol isrecorded as the benchmark of the productivity of ethanol. Thereafter,according to any of the productivity evaluation methods according to thefirst to fourth embodiments, the productivity of ethanol is calculatedbased on the mass of carbon in the waste material, which is actually tobe disposed, and the mass of carbon in the ethanol produced by saidproduction process.

The charge for disposal is increased for the waste material when it issuggested that the waste material contains the inhibitory components andits productivity of ethanol is low according to the result of comparingthe recorded benchmark of the productivity of ethanol with theproductivity of ethanol of the waste material which is actuallydisposed. The charge for disposal is decreased for the waste materialwhen the waste material has higher productivity than the recordedbenchmark of the productivity of ethanol. The degree of increase ordecrease of charge may be determined based on a linear conversionequation or the pre-set table showing the correlation of theproductivity of ethanol and the degree of increase or decrease ofcharge. For example, the charge for disposal of the waste material maybe calculated by the following Equation (1).Charge for disposal of waste material=Basic Charge×(benchmark ofproductivity of ethanol−productivity of ethanol of waste materialactually disposed)   (1)

According to the charging system according to the present embodiment,the charging system where the accurate productivity of ethanol isreflected can be constructed.

FIG. 9 shows an example of hardware configuration of a computer 800constituting the productivity evaluation devices 110, 210, 310 and 410according to the present embodiment. The computer 800 according to thepresent embodiment includes:

a CPU (Central Processing Unit) peripheral section including a CPU 802,a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, a graphic controller 804, and adisplay 805 which are mutually connected through a host controller 801;

an input/output section including a communication interface 807, a harddisk drive 808, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) drive 809which are mutually connected through an input/output controller 806; and

a legacy input/output section including ROM (Read Only Memory) 810, aflexible disk drive 811, and an input/output chip 812 which areconnected through an input/output controller 806.

A host controller 801 connects the RAM 803, the CPU 802 which assessesthe RAM 803 at a high transfer rate, and the graphic controller 804. TheCPU 802 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 810 and the RAM803, and controls each of the constituent units. The graphic controller804 acquires graphic data generated on a frame buffer provided in theRAM 803 by the CPU 802, etc., and displays the graphic data on thedisplay 805. Alternatively, the graphic controller 804 may contain aframe buffer storing data generated by the CPU 802, etc.

The input/output controller 806 connects the host controller 801, thecommunication interface 807 which is a relatively high-speedinput/output device, the hard disk drive 808, and the CD-ROM (CompactDisk Read Only Memory) drive 809. The hard disk drive 808 stores aprogram and data used by the CPU 802 in the computer 800. From theCD-ROM drive 809, the program or the data is read and provided to thehard disk drive 808 through the RAM 803.

The input/output controller 806 is connected to the ROM 810, theflexible disk drive 811, and the input/output chip 812 which is arelatively low-speed input/output device. The ROM 810 stores a bootprogram executed at the time of starting up the computer 800 and/or aprogram depending on the hardware of the computer 800. From the flexibledisk drive 811, a program or data is read and provided to the hard diskdrive 808 through the RAM 803. The input/output chip 812 connects theflexible disk drive 811 to the input/output controller 806, and connectsvarious input/output devices to the input/output controller 806 through,for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port or a mouseport.

The program provided to the hard disk drive 808 through the RAM 803 isprovided by users with being stored in a recording medium such as theflexible disk 893, the CD-ROM 892, or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card,etc. The program is read from the recording medium, installed in thehard disk drive 808 in the computer 800 through the RAM 803, andexecuted in the CPU 802.

The program according to the first embodiment is installed in thecomputer 800, and causes the computer 800 to a perform function of theproductivity evaluation device 110. The program according to the firstembodiment, in step S101, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 which calculates the massof carbon in the waste material. The program according to the firstembodiment, in step S102, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the second carbon mass calculation unit 112 which calculates the massof carbon in the produced ethanol. The program according to the firstembodiment, in step S103, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the productivity evaluation unit 113 which evaluates the productivityof ethanol based on the mass of carbon calculated by the first carbonmass calculation unit and the mass of carbon calculated by the secondcarbon mass calculation unit.

The information processing described in this program according to thefirst embodiment, upon being read into the computer 800, performsfunctions of the first carbon mass calculation unit 111, the secondcarbon mass calculation unit 112, and the productivity evaluation unit113, which are specific means realized by cooperation between thesoftware and the various hardware components described above. By thesespecific means, the calculation or processing of information is realizedso as to construct a specific productivity evaluation device 110 that issuited for intended use.

The program according to the second embodiment is installed in thecomputer 800, and causes the computer 800 to perform a function of theproductivity evaluation device 210. The program according to the secondembodiment, in step S201, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the third carbon mass calculation unit which calculates the mass ofcarbon in the gas. The program according to the second embodiment, instep S202, causes the computer 800 to perform a function of the fourthcarbon mass calculation unit which calculates the mass of carbon in theresidue. The program according to the second embodiment, in step S203,causes the computer 800 to perform a function of the first carbon masscalculation unit 213 which calculates the mass of carbon in the wastematerial based on the mass of carbon calculated by the third carbon masscalculation unit and the mass of carbon calculated by the fourth carbonmass calculation unit. The program according to the second embodiment,in step S102, causes the computer 800 to perform a function of thesecond carbon mass calculation unit 112 which calculates the mass ofcarbon in the produced ethanol. The program according to the secondembodiment, in step S103, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the productivity evaluation unit 113 which evaluates the productivityof ethanol based on the mass of carbon calculated by the first carbonmass calculation unit and the mass of carbon calculated by the secondcarbon mass calculation unit.

The information processing described in this program according to thesecond embodiment, upon being read into the computer 800, performsfunctions of the third carbon mass calculation unit 211, the fourthcarbon mass calculation unit 212, the first carbon mass calculation unit213, the second carbon mass calculation unit 112, and the productivityevaluation unit 113, which are specific means realized by cooperationbetween the software and the various hardware components describedabove. By these specific means, the calculation or processing ofinformation is realized so as to construct a specific productivityevaluation device 210 that is suited for intended purpose.

The program according to the third embodiment is installed in thecomputer 800, and causes the computer 800 to perform a function of theproductivity evaluation device 310. The program according to the thirdembodiment, in step S201, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the third carbon mass calculation unit which calculates the mass ofcarbon in the gas. The program according to the third embodiment, instep S202, causes the computer 800 to perform a function of the fourthcarbon mass calculation unit which calculates the mass of carbon in theresidue. The program according to the third embodiment, in step S301,causes the computer 800 to perform a function of the fifth carbon masscalculation unit 311 which calculates the mass of carbon in thecombustion improver. The program according to the third embodiment, instep S302, causes the computer 800 to perform a function of the firstcarbon mass calculation unit 312 which calculates the mass of carbon inthe waste material based on the mass of carbon calculated by the thirdcarbon mass calculation unit, the mass of carbon calculated by thefourth carbon mass calculation unit, and the mass of carbon calculatedby the fifth carbon mass calculation unit 311. The program according tothe third embodiment, in step S102, causes the computer 800 to perform afunction of the second carbon mass calculation unit 112 which calculatesthe mass of carbon in the produced ethanol. The program according to thethird embodiment, in step S103, causes the computer 800 to perform afunction of the productivity evaluation unit 113 which evaluates theproductivity of ethanol based on the mass of carbon calculated by thefirst carbon mass calculation unit and the mass of carbon calculated bythe second carbon mass calculation unit.

The information processing described in this program according to thethird embodiment, upon being read into the computer 800, performsfunctions of the third carbon mass calculation unit 211, the fourthcarbon mass calculation unit 212, the fifth carbon mass calculation unit311, the first carbon mass calculation unit 312, the second carbon masscalculation unit 112, and the productivity evaluation unit 113, whichare specific means realized by cooperation between the software and eachof the various hardware components described above. By these specificmeans, the calculation or processing of information is realized so as toconstruct a specific productivity evaluation device 310 that is suitedfor intended purpose.

The program according to the fourth embodiment is installed in thecomputer 800, and causes the computer 800 to perform a function of theproductivity evaluation device 410. The program according to the fourthembodiment, in step S101, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the first carbon mass calculation unit 111 which calculates the massof carbon in the waste material. The program according to the fourthembodiment, in step S102, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the second carbon mass calculation unit 112 which calculates the massof carbon in the produced ethanol. The program according to the fourthembodiment, in step S401, causes the computer 800 to perform a functionof the carbon dioxide emission calculation unit 411 which calculates theamount of carbon dioxide emission caused due to the use of energy. Theprogram according to the fourth embodiment, in step S402, causes thecomputer 800 to perform a function of the productivity evaluation unit412 which evaluates the productivity of ethanol based on the mass ofcarbon calculated by the first carbon mass calculation unit, the mass ofcarbon calculated by the second carbon mass calculation, and the amountof carbon dioxide emission calculated by the carbon dioxide emissioncalculation unit 411.

The information processing described in this program according to thefourth embodiment, upon being read into the computer 800, performsfunctions of the first carbon mass calculation unit 111, the secondcarbon mass calculation unit 112, the carbon dioxide emissioncalculation unit 411, and the productivity evaluation unit 412, whichare specific means realized by cooperation between the software and eachof the various hardware components described above. By these specificmeans, the calculation or processing of information is realized so as toconstruct a specific productivity evaluation device 410 that is suitedfor intended use.

The performance of the computer 800 is explained below, taking as anexample the case where the computer 800 communicates with the outerdevices, etc. The CPU 802 executes the communication program loaded onthe RAM 803, and instructs the communication interface 807 to executethe communication processing based on the processing content describedin the communication program. The communication interface 807, beingcontrolled by the CPU 802, reads transmission data stored in atransmission buffer area formed in the storage device, such as the RAM803, the hard disk drive 808, the flexible disk 893, or the CD-ROM 892,and transmits the data to the network, or receives data from the networkand writes the received data into a receiving buffer area formed in thestorage device. Thus, the communication interface 807 may exchange thetransmission/receiving data with the storage device by way of directmemory access. Alternatively, the CPU 802 may read the data from thecommunication interface 807 and transfer the transmission/receiving databy writing the data into the communication interface 807 as thedestination or the storage device.

From files stored in the outer storage device (such as the hard diskdrive 808, the CD-ROM 892, or the flexible disk 893) or database, all ora required part of data is read by the CPU 802 into RAM 803 by way ofdirect memory access transfer or the like, and the CPU 802 performsvarious sets of processing on the data in the RAM 803. The CPU 802writes the processed data back into the outer storage device by way ofdirect memory access transfer or the like.

In such process, it can be regarded that the RAM 803 temporarily storesthe content of the outer storage device; therefore, in the presentembodiment, the RAM 803 and the outer storage device, etc. arecollectively referred to as a memory, a storage unit, a storage device,etc. Various information, such as a program, a data, a table, a databaseand the like in the present embodiment, is stored in such a storagedevice as mentioned above, and becomes the object of the informationprocessing. The CPU 802 also can store a part of the contents of RAM 803in the cash memory, and read from and write into the cash memory. Evenin such embodiment, since the cash memory serves a part of the functionof RAM 803, in the present embodiment, the cash memory is also includedin the RAM 803, the memory, and/or the storage device unless otherwisespecified to distinguish these components.

With respect to the data read from the RAM 803, the CPU 802 performsvarious sets of processing, including the calculations, the processingof information, the condition determination, the search and thereplacement of information, which are described in connection with thepresent embodiment and are specified by instruction string, and writesback the results into the RAM 803. For example, in the case ofperforming the condition determination, the CPU 802 determines whetherthe variables shown in the present embodiment satisfy conditions such asbeing larger or smaller than, higher or lower than, equal or not equalto, other variables or constants. Based on the results of thedetermination (i.e., the condition is satisfied, or not satisfied), theCPU 802 branches to a different instruction string or invoke asubroutine.

The CPU 802 can search information stored in the file in the storagedevice, the database or the like. For example, in the case that multipleentries where the values of the second attributes are associated withthe values of the first attributes are stored in the storage device, theCPU 802 searches for an entry in which the values of the firstattributes matches a specified condition from among the multiple entriesstored in the storage device, and reads the values of the secondattributes stored in the entry, whereby the CPU 802 can obtain thevalues of the second attributes associated with the first attributessatisfying the predetermined condition.

The program or module described above may be stored in the outerrecording medium. Examples of usable recording medium include not onlythe flexible disk 893 and the CD-ROM 892, but also an optical recordingmedium such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or CD (Compact Disk), amagneto-optical recording medium such as MO (Magneto-Optical disk), atape media, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card. The program maybe provided to the computer 800 through network by using, as a storagedevice, a hard disk in a server system connected to privatecommunication network or internet, or a recording medium such as RAM.

Though the present invention is described as above using theembodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above. It is obvious for a person ordinaryskilled in the art that the embodiments described above can be modifiedor improved in various manners. It is obvious from the description ofthe CLAIMS that such modified or improved embodiments are also includedin the technical scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that the order of execution of respective processesin operations, procedures, steps and stages or the like in the method,apparatus, program, and recording medium shown in the scope of claims,specification, and drawings is not explicitly defined, such as “before .. . ” or “prior to . . . ” or the like in particular, and the processescan be realized in various orders unless the output of a precedingprocess is used in a subsequent process. Although description is givenfor convenience using terms like “first” or “next” regarding anoperation flow in the scope of claims, specification, and drawings, thisdoes not imply that it is mandatory that the processes should beexecuted in this order.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficientlyevaluate the productivity of chemical substances such as ethanol inproduction thereof from a waste material.

-   110 Productivity evaluation device-   111 First carbon mass calculation unit-   112 Second carbon mass calculation unit-   113 Productivity evaluation unit-   210 Productivity evaluation device-   211 Third carbon mass calculation unit-   212 Fourth carbon mass calculation unit-   213 First carbon mass calculation unit-   310 Productivity evaluation device-   311 Fifth carbon mass calculation unit-   312 First carbon mass calculation unit-   410 Productivity evaluation device-   411 Carbon dioxide emission calculation unit-   412 Productivity evaluation unit-   800 Computer-   801 Host controller-   802 CPU-   803 RAM-   804 Graphic controller-   805 Display-   806 Input/output controller-   807 Communication interfaces-   808 Hard disk drive-   809 CD-ROM drive-   810 ROM-   811 Flexible disk drive-   812 Input/output chip-   891 Network communication device-   892 CD-ROM-   893 Flexible disk

The invention claimed is:
 1. A charging system which determines a chargefor collecting a waste material used in a process comprising a firststep of obtaining gas from a waste material and a second step ofsynthesizing a chemical substance from, as a raw material, the gasobtained in the first step in the presence of a catalyst, the chargingsystem comprising: a computer; and a non-transitory computer readablerecording medium that stores a program, the computer configured toexecute the program stored in the recording medium to: calculate a massof carbon contained in the waste material, calculate a mass of carboncontained in the chemical substance produced in said process, evaluate aproductivity of the chemical substance based on values of the mass ofcarbon which are obtained in the calculation of the mass of carboncontained in the waste material and the calculation of the mass ofcarbon contained in the chemical substance produced in said process, andcharge for the collection of the waste material depending on theevaluated productivity of the chemical substance.
 2. The charging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured toexecute the program stored in the recording medium to: calculate a massof carbon contained in the gas obtained in the first step of saidprocess, and calculate a mass of carbon contained in a residue of thewaste material resulting from the first step of said process, wherein,in the calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the wastematerial, the mass of carbon contained in the waste material iscalculated based on values of the mass of carbon which are calculated inthe calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the gas obtained inthe first step of said process and the calculation of the mass of carboncontained in a residue of the waste material resulting from the firststep of said process.
 3. The charging system according to claim 2,wherein, when a combustion improver is used in the first step of saidprocess, the computer is further configured to execute the programstored in the recording medium to: calculate a mass of carbon containedin the combustion improver used in the first step of said process,wherein, in the calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the wastematerial, the mass of carbon contained in the waste material iscalculated based on values of the carbon mass which are calculated inthe calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the gas obtained inthe first step of said process, the calculation of the mass of carboncontained in a residue of the waste material resulting from the firststep of said process, and the calculation of the mass of carboncontained in the combustion improver used in the first step of saidprocess.
 4. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein thecomputer is further configured to execute the program stored in therecording medium to: calculate an amount of carbon dioxide emissioncaused due to use of energy in the first step of said process, wherein,in the evaluation of the productivity of the chemical substance based onvalues of the mass of carbon, the productivity of the chemical substanceis evaluated based on values of the carbon mass which are calculated inthe calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the waste material,the calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the chemicalsubstance produced in said process, and a value of the amount of carbondioxide emission calculated in the calculation of the amount of carbondioxide emission caused due to use of energy in the first step of saidprocess.
 5. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein thechemical substance is a compound represented by the formula CxHyOz, sothat a mass of carbon contained in the compound CxHyOz is calculated inthe calculation of the mass of carbon contained in the chemicalsubstance produced in said process and that a productivity of thecompound CxHyOz is evaluated in the evaluation of the productivity ofthe chemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon.
 6. Thecharging system according to claim 1, wherein the chemical substance isethanol.
 7. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein a totalweight of the waste material is calculated by (i) subtracting a weightof a garbage truck not loaded with the waste material from a weight of agarbage truck loaded with the waste material, or by (ii) multiplying avolume of the waste material by a densities of components of the wastematerial.
 8. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the wastematerial is selected from the group consisting of a plastic, domesticflammable trash, paper waste, wood waste, sewage sludge, waste textile,pruned branch, animal and plant residues, animal and vegetable oils,meat and bone meal, waste solid fuel, excreta, wood chip, and organicsludge.
 9. A method for determining a charge for collecting a wastematerial used in a process comprising a first step of obtaining gas froma waste material and second step of synthesizing a chemical substancefrom, as a raw material, the gas obtained in the first step in thepresence of a catalyst, the method comprising: providing the chargingsystem according to claim 6, calculating a mass of carbon contained inthe waste material, calculating a mass of carbon contained in thechemical substance produced in said process, evaluating a productivityof the chemical substance based on values of the mass of carbon whichare obtained in the calculation of the mass of carbon contained in thewaste material and the calculation of the mass of carbon contained inthe chemical substance produced in said process, and charging for thecollection of the waste material depending on the evaluated productivityof the chemical substance.